Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A study of 793 girls found significant variation in height growth after their first period, with most not reaching the expected 6-8 cm. Early onset of menstruation is linked to greater growth, while late onset is associated with shorter final height. Childhood BMI also plays a role in determining menarche age and subsequent growth.
A study by researchers from the University of Tokyo found that people with adverse childhood experiences are more likely to commit physical or verbal abuse against older adults. The study, which analyzed over 13,000 responses in Japan, revealed that psychological factors were a key contributor to this behavior.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
A recent study found that pregnant women who get less than 7 hours of sleep per night are at higher risk of having children with neurodevelopmental delays. This can affect social, emotional, behavioral, motor, cognitive, or speech skills in the child.
A study conducted by the University of Gothenburg found that meal boxes with healthy recipes and subsidized meals led to a greater reduction in children's BMI compared to lifestyle treatment alone. The intervention also involved family meals, which were perceived as tolerable and reduced conflicts over food shopping.
Video games created as mental health interventions can be modest tools in improving the mental well-being of children and teens with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These digital mental health interventions showed a reduction in symptoms related to ADHD and depression, but not for anxiety.
The LYFE-III study will digitize the intervention and make it freely available, assessing its effectiveness. The current research builds on previous studies that focused on parenting skills enhancement and substance abuse prevention among Latino youth.
A new study analyzing 44 years of FBI data reveals that family members are the most common perpetrators of infant and child homicides in the US. The research found a sustained increase in firearm-related homicides among children and adolescents, with Black pediatric victims experiencing disproportionate burdens.
New research suggests that toddlers can track and prefer people with more resources, tracking this preference until around 13 months of age. This bias towards wealth is thought to be driven by negative assessments of those with less, rather than positive evaluations of the wealthy.
A new study found that patients with 4 or 5 identified risk factors, including age 18-24 years and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, had over 100 times the incidence of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. The data provide a basis for early identification and monitoring of children and youth at elevated risk.
A new large-scale longitudinal study will investigate the environmental, lifestyle, social, and clinical factors affecting brain development in children with type 1 diabetes. The five-year study aims to refine clinical guidelines and targeted treatments for children with diabetes.
A new study found that childhood trauma can have specific consequences for biological health and risk of developing 20 major diseases later in life. The study's findings differ by sex and type of stressor, highlighting the need for a precision medicine approach based on patients' sex and specific stress profile.
A new study presented at ECTRIMS 2024 reveals that initiating monoclonal antibody therapy during childhood can lead to improved long-term outcomes for children with MS. The research showed a substantially lower risk of progressing to higher disability levels in the early treatment group, particularly in moderate disability range.
A study by FoodLab at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that 42% of schoolchildren's snacks were sandwiches or pastries, with only 22% meeting health guidelines. The research highlights the need for better food education programs to improve children's diet quality and prevent obesity.
A team of UBC Okanagan researchers has created a new mechanical heart valve that combines the strengths of both mechanical and tissue replacement technologies, offering improved performance and durability.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that machine learning can be more effective than traditional methods for distributing scarce treatments to patients most vulnerable during a public health crisis. The model reduces expected hospitalizations by about 27 percent compared to actual and observed care.
Researchers at McGill University have made new findings on the consistency of delusion themes in youth and young adults with psychosis. The study, involving over 600 patients, suggests that delusions often persist even as other symptoms improve, requiring different treatment strategies.
A study found that babies who had more diverse social interactions early in life were more likely to let go of stereotypes and adapt to new social situations. This allows them to be more sensitive to the needs of their partners in social interaction, making them better communicators.
New research reveals Scotland's care system is taking years to find permanent homes for over 1,800 vulnerable children, with 91% experiencing maltreatment before being taken into care. Many children have no contact with their siblings, and crucial information is often missing from administrative data.
A Danish study reveals that only children and those with half- or step-siblings enter puberty significantly earlier than children with biological siblings. The study found a two-month difference in girls' pubertal timing and a smaller but still significant gap for boys.
A new study finds that excessive social media use is associated with a higher risk of eating disorder symptoms in 9-14-year-olds, including binge eating and distress over weight gain. Problematic screen use may contribute to unhealthy behaviors and addictive tendencies.
A strong belief in own academic ability can help low-income children achieve success despite poverty. Research highlights the importance of addressing emotional and behavioural issues and strategies that foster belief in abilities.
Researchers at UCSF identified signals in the metabolic system of infants who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), finding associations between lower C-3 levels and elevated C-14OH. Elevated biomarkers also led to reduced risk of SIDS, but further research is needed to validate these findings.
Researchers developed an AI model to detect lung disease in premature babies by analyzing their breathing patterns while sleeping. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model achieved 96% accuracy in classifying flow values as belonging to a patient with BPD or not, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
Parents who practice proper firearm handling and teach their children to shoot are more likely to store firearms unlocked and loaded, highlighting a potential association between responsible behavior and decreased risk of injury. This study underscores the importance of secure storage practices in reducing firearm-related risks.
A study found that medical clowns can reduce hospital stays by an average of 43.5 hours and decrease IV antibiotic use for children with pneumonia. The clowns' visits also led to lower respiratory rates, heart rates, and inflammatory markers.
A study by the University of Notre Dame found that virtual learning led to a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, particularly in school districts with higher poverty rates. This resulted in lower test scores, reduced social interactions, and decreased high school graduation rates. The research suggests that students from vulne...
Dr. Lutz's pioneering research combines genetic engineering, multiomics, and bioinformatics to understand epigenetic mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions like addiction and depression. His work aims to bridge the gap between genomics and behavior.
New research from Hebrew University reveals that parents' understanding of their children's thoughts and feelings is crucial for providing effective emotional support. Parents who are good at mentalization can create a better homework environment, boosting children's independent learning and motivation.
A new study by ISGlobal reveals that nearly half of children with severe illnesses in low- and middle-income countries exhibit neurological symptoms before death. The most common causes of death were lack of oxygen, meningitis, and cerebral malaria. However, lumbar punctures are seldom performed, making diagnosis challenging.
Research from the University of Bergen found that boys with higher per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels have smaller testicular volume and lower testosterone levels compared to their peers. PFAS exposure is a significant concern for pubertal development, highlighting the need for further research into its mechanisms.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals a correlation between high temperatures in the final week of pregnancy and an increased risk of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. High temperatures were associated with a 34% higher risk of perinatal death, which doubled during the six hottest months of the year.
A study found that pediatricians were more likely to deliver a secure gun storage program when receiving a 'nudge' or extra staff support, resulting in a significant increase from 2% to 49% of doctors. The findings suggest that even minimal resources can be effective in promoting this critical conversation.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that consuming fish during pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, particularly in females. The study also found no significant association between omega-3 supplements and autism diagnosis.
The September issues of APA journals focus on depression risk factors and treatments, as well as noninvasive brain stimulation therapies. The American Journal of Psychiatry explores the promise of these therapies in treating depression.
Researchers found that the presence of clinics had the greatest effect on rural children's access to pediatric subspecialists, reducing median driving times by 5-46 minutes. The study suggests expanding outreach clinics can boost access and improve outcomes for children in need.
A new study analyzed data from over 700 Swedish children, finding associations between gender nonconformity and autistic traits, behavioral difficulties, and peer relationship problems. Higher levels of nonconforming play were linked to increased behavioral challenges in both sexes.
Research reveals that maternal prenatal smoking can limit a child's academic performance and put them behind their peers at school. The systematic review of 19 studies and 1.25 million participants found that 79% of studies reported reduced academic achievement in children exposed to maternal prenatal smoking.
A new NIH-funded study found minor changes in youth mental health overall, but significant variations depending on age, race, gender, and pre-existing mental health. Children with clinically significant problems before the pandemic improved, while others experienced declines or no change.
A recent study from Waseda University found that short-duration, light-intensity exercises significantly increase oxy-Hb levels in the prefrontal cortex of children, indicating improved cerebral blood flow. This breakthrough suggests potential benefits for children's executive functions and brain development.
A new study reveals that non-cognitive skills, such as motivation and self-regulation, are crucial for academic achievement. The research found that genetic factors play a significant role in shaping these skills, which become increasingly influential throughout childhood.
Children's brains cannot focus on tasks because their working memory is not fully developed, according to a new study. Researchers found that even with rewards, children still 'over explore' and gather unnecessary information. This suggests that kids are naturally curious and unsure of retaining information in their memory.
A study by Dr. Pumpki Lei Su and colleagues analyzed over 300 children's home recordings to find that infants form patterns in their sound clusters, producing three categories of sounds. The researchers found significant clustering patterns in typically developing children and those later diagnosed with autism, suggesting a more sponta...
A recent study published in Attachment and Human Development found no association between bed-sharing at 9 months and childhood emotional or behavioral problems. Despite ongoing debate, the research suggests that parental bed-sharing is unlikely to have a negative impact on children's development when practiced safely.
A new study suggests treating all children under 5 with azithromycin in Africa can significantly reduce child mortality. Treating older kids protects younger children from respiratory and lethal infections.
The study identified common symptoms for school-age children (headache, trouble sleeping) and adolescents (daytime tiredness/sleepiness, body pain), with 14 overlapping symptoms between the age groups. The research indexes provide a framework for studying long COVID in youth.
Researchers developed a tool to identify high-risk children and adolescents with pediatric postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. The study found that symptoms differed by age group, with some similarities but distinct patterns across childhood ages.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children with persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders, including psychosis and depression, in early adulthood. The research also discovered that those who experienced inflammation at a young age were more likely to devel...
A large-scale study investigated the relationship between childhood obesity and immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The study found that obese children were more likely to develop these conditions, with changes in body weight affecting their risk of developing these diseases.
Researchers found significant differences in effect sizes depending on studies' approach, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive understanding of ACEs' multifaceted impacts. The study suggests a critical need for varied strategies to understand, prevent, and reduce ACEs' effects on individual development and societal well-being.
A study of children's conversations with caretakers found that the Care/Harm foundation emerges at a younger age than other moral foundations, appearing in one-year-olds' speech. The study also showed that children tend to discuss fairness while caretakers focus on Purity/Degradation.
A new AI model developed by Karolinska Institutet can predict autism in young children with an accuracy of almost 80% for those under two years old. The model uses a combination of limited information to identify patterns and strong predictors of autism, such as age of first smile and eating difficulties.
A new screening tool, DuMAND Checklist, has shown promise for assessing neurobehavioral difficulties in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improving quality of life. The checklist covers a range of issues including behavior, psychiatric disorders, and cognitive deficits.
A new study identifies three distinct profiles of preterm-born children, revealing markedly different cognitive and behavioral results. The analysis suggests that precision psychiatry can lead to more effective treatment for individual children, highlighting the complexity of preterm birth.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism reveals a critical link between defects in the urea cycle and the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that these defects lead to secondary impairment in energy metabolism, resulting in excessive fat storage and inflammation in the liver.
A study found that children who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during childhood and adolescence were more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The researchers suggest that improving sleep in the school-age population could lead to improvements in other aspects of health, such as decision making.
Researchers found that babies form strong expectations for a robot's responses within 10 minutes of interaction. The study suggests that contingency, or caregivers' timely reactions, is key to foundational learning in early development.
A new study found that autistic youth born in underserved neighborhoods are more likely to have greater ADHD symptoms. The Child Opportunity Index, which tracks neighborhood traits, was used to assess the relationship between environment and ADHD symptoms.
A saliva test has been found to be more accurate than a blood test in assessing the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children. The test measures broadly protective antibodies in saliva, which indicate disease burden and predict treatment needs. Saliva testing also holds promise for new treatments and therapies.
A new study from Murdoch Children's Research Institute has identified changes in certain blood proteins that can predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm babies. By combining these protein changes with gestational age, birth weight, and sex, clinicians can make more accurate predictions of BPD risk within 72 hours of life.